Private? No Public? Private and Public?

In the 21st century, planning has become all about the look of a city; the skyscrapers, the extremely tall buildings, and structures to house the plethora of cars in the world today. Banerjee (2001) stated that little expansion of parks and open spaces has been taking place within recent times. The stock of open space has not kept up with population growth, especially in the older cities.

The Hyatt Regency Waterfront was a very successful economic venture. Not only does the establishment bring a world class, four star hotel to our shores but it has created a place with a very serene, warm aura. At night, many flock to the Waterfront to really observe and soak in a little piece of the beauty that is the Waterfront. At any given time you can find families, couples, little children enjoying the fountain, the night lights, the many high rise buildings, the ships you can see coming in. Must be very exciting as a little child to experience all those things in one place.

While this is true, the Hyatt Regency is still very much a public space; which brings me to my argument of how public is public? Banerjee (2001) continues to say that the owner of the land has all the legal prerogative to exclude someone from the space and often invisible property boundaries. The public is welcomed as long as they are patrons of shops and restaurants, office workers or clients of businesses located on the premise. But access to and use of the space is only a privilege not a right. Everyone assumes that these places are for the public and are open to everyone, but most times, these places can be referred to as "publicised" private places; where although it is a private space, I (the owner) will allow certain individuals the right to access to the land to trick you into thinking it's really a public space, but it isn't. it's private. Get it?

Another main problem associated with these private but public but private spaces is that many citizens no longer feel safe staying out after a certain time. Especially where within recent times, there has been a drastic increase in the crime rate in Trinidad. The Port of Spain area is not deemed safe as it is a harbour for theft, drug and sex related activities that many people do not want to be exposed to. Banerjee (2001) explained this beautifully, calling it the "broken window syndrome." There has been a definite decrease in the citizens visiting some of these public areas. According to Banerjee (2001), there has been a steady decline in not only the supply but the quality of public spaces due to the fact that there are many drug dealers, and homeless individuals that have made the city their home; and it is very true. The city has become the hub for these activities that many of the citizens do not want to be near.

This is our city. Our reality.

Banerjee, Tridib. The Future of Public Space: Beyond Invented Streets and Reinvented Places." Journal of the American Planning Association. 67, (2001): 9 - 13.